Marion Marlowe's Skill, or, A Week as a Private Detective — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

4 My QUEEN. of thrilling adventures, and it was a few months since she had won the reward of five thousand dollars offered for finding and re- storing a beautiful young bride to her parents. Dr. Brookes had aided her materially in this, and he too had won the same amount, but as he was already wealthy the acquisition of this small sum did not mean as much to him as it did to his companion. As they sat in the dim light of the alcove they were both thinking of this same occur- rence. “Yes,” Marion was saying, in a low, sweet voice, “I have managed to spend fully two- thirds of my money,” and then she added, laughing, “I find vocal lessons and hotels very expensive, doctor.” f “Tf you could only arrange to live with your sister Dollie,’ suggested the doctor, gently, “I am almost sure you would be hap- pier, Marion.” Dollie Marlowe had married and was living in Harlem, and as the doctor mentioned her name his companion smiled sweetly. “No doubt I would be happier,” she said, quickly, “but, dear me, just think of poor Dollie and Ralph! ‘would be spoiled if I were with them.” Why their honeymoon “T don’t think so,” replied the doctear, with an ardent glance at the sweet face. “I am in- clined to think, Marion, that no honeymoon would be complete without you.” The words were said gayly, but there was a ring of eagerness in the tone, and as the young girl detected it her face flushed slight- ly. “Dollie and Ralph wouldn’t think so, IT am sure.” she said, laughing, “although, of course, they have both assured me over and over that they would. ‘They are very sweet about asking me to live with them in their cozy flat, but I think I am wiser in leaving fhem alone in their glory. a ha, mg “But what will you do when yeur money is gone?” asked the doctor, anxiously. “Work,” was the brave answer; “and do you know I almost long for it! Why, I feel as if-[ was of no use in the world at all while \ é I sit here day after day spending all my ef- forts on my music!” ; The young physician glanced at her quickly in admiration, but there was a look in his Fa “I shall find something to do, I am sure,” eyes that showed that he was disappointed. went on the young girl, cheerily; “and it will , —- — be such a pleasure to feel that I am really —— earning my own living. Why, do you know, I have never felt that I had a real right to this: money.” . “Yet you almost risked your life!” cried “Well, if you did not earn that money, Marion, I’d lke to know the doctor, quickly. what you call it!” “But it was done in a day, and someway I have never been able to fully realize it. Now, when I can work day after day and draw my salary every week, I shall feel like a business woman,’ she said, laughing merrily. The doctor moved his chair near her own, and as the young girl glanced at him quickly she saw that his face had suddenly grown | very serious. “Marion, won’t you let me help you?” he ’ asked, very softly. “You know, little girl, , you have a magnificent voice. It would be a | pity fof anything to stand in the way of its cultivation. Now, you know, Marion, I have plenty of it, almost—that I don’t money know how to use. Won't you tale some of it, ’ Marion; it would make me so happy ?” | Ag she listened the young girl’s eves filled with tears. She appreciated fully the deep sincerity of his offer. ft “Oh, doctor! you are so kind, so gener- ous!” she cried, impulsively; “but indeed T _ | cannot accept your offer! T must work out my Don’t you see that I must? It — COMMC MOOS aL iL own career,